The SRJC Board of Trustees announced April 12 that it would not proceed with the hiring of a new president/superintendent as planned, because no candidate was suitable.

The hiring committee had forwarded three candidates to the board and presented them in forums to the staff and students of SRJC. These forums allowed the SRJC community to advise the board on the decision.

“The board has determined that we do not have a good match for the position.” Said Rick Call, president of the board of trustees, during the announcement.

Dr. Robert Agrella, the current president/superintendent, has agreed to delay his retirement for an indefinite period. He will remain in his current position until a suitable candidate is found.

“I spent 21 years here and I didn’t want to just leave the college in a lurch in a time when it needs continuity,” Agrella said.

In upcoming weeks, the board will discuss how to proceed with the hiring process.

“We do not have a timeline or a definite plan today. I’m sure that in the next two weeks we will know whether we will use a consulting firm or do it in house again,” Call said.

The board made the decision after listening to suggestions from faculty who were for the most part unsatisfied with the candidates. Faculty members expressed their concern that candidates were not experienced enough to be a good fit for the school.

“It’s a difficult time to recruit people for this position. A lot of people don’t want to make a move right now,” Call said. “We are not going to compromise and pick some one just because.”

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Mary Kay Rudolf was pleased with the decision. “I think the board pulled the plug at a time when it saved the college time and money,” Rudolf said. “Otherwise the next step is to do site visits on the people where ever they are. I think the board really truly listened to the feedback they got and did their reference checks and decided not spend an inordinate amount of time on three candidates that were not viable.”